For a burl, is it best to turn it dry or wet? I have a friend who has access to Burl's on her own property, she would like to know from turners if you like them wet or dry, or somewhere between. 

I recently received my first piece of burl, from a friend. It was dry. Using the Easy Wood Tools, it turned just fine. My GUESS is that the green ones would be easier to turn- especially with traditional wood turning tools.

Can Green mean from the tree to you in a matter of days? Or should there be some seasoning?

I think you can use it right from the tree. I'm not sure if you need to seal the "cut" but I guess it wouldn't hurt. 

Thanks Lew!

I'm sure some of the other turners- with more experience- will chime in here.

I posed this question on the Wood forums a few years back.  My son & I had harvested a few large (2-3') pecan burls and they had been drying for a couple three years when I asked.  Based upon all the responses we got - that they should be turned green, I burned them...

Cal

Just a guess but, the species might make a difference. 

I have not had the opportunity to turn any.  Look forward to the answers of others though.

I would think they could be turned either way. After they do sell burls and the ones I have seen for sale were mostly large. I did not check to see if dry but Cindy Drozda did give me one that was dry. Finishing may be different in a green burl turned to finish. I have not as yet turned a burl so this is mostly conjecture.

Wish  could offer some insight but I've never turned a burl either. I do agree with Gerald that it seems they could be turned either way. I have been told before that cutting direction isn't as important a burl because the grain goes every which way.

 

Steve

Green.  One of the  things about  Burls is they don't split.  I'd do a twice turned  anyway.  But Green is always a nicer turning experience.

 

Hey folks, thanks so much for your replies. We have some wonderful things shaping up for our community here, perhaps even an online lumber and turning blanks classifieds section here. One of the folks who may be a supplier for you, and us, and who ever happens upon our community, has a forest full of burls, and she wanted to know how best to ship them to you, the turner. Thanks again guys!

I never turned one. But I have a few on my property to try...